Yasmine Bleeth was an iconic actress best known for her role as Caroline Holden in the popular TV show Baywatch. However, Bleeth’s life was not always smooth sailing. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Bleeth struggled with drug addiction and legal problems that ultimately derailed her career.
Bleeth’s substance abuse problems first came to light in 1996 when she was arrested for possession of cocaine in Detroit. She was sentenced to two years probation and required to undergo drug treatment. Despite this, Bleeth’s drug use continued and she was arrested again in 2001 for possession of crack cocaine and driving under the influence. She was sentenced to probation and required to attend rehab.
Bleeth’s legal and personal problems significantly impacted her career. She was fired from Baywatch and struggled to find work in Hollywood. In 2002, she told People Magazine, “I was using drugs to escape my reality… I was using drugs to escape the pain of my personal relationships.”
Bleeth’s drug use and legal troubles also had a negative impact on her personal life. She was estranged from her family and lost touch with many of her friends. In a 2002 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Bleeth’s mother, Carina, revealed that she had not spoken to her daughter in over a year due to her drug use.
Despite the challenges she faced, Bleeth was able to turn her life around and get sober. She credited her husband, Paul Cerrito, with helping her overcome her addiction and get her life back on track. In a 2003 interview with Larry King, Bleeth said, “I have an amazing husband who has been my rock, my foundation. Without him, I don’t think I would be here today.”
After getting sober, Bleeth made a comeback in the entertainment industry. She appeared in a number of TV shows and movies, including the Lifetime movie “The Brooke Ellison Story” and the TV series “Nash Bridges.” She also made guest appearances on shows like “The Larry Sanders Show” and “Touched by an Angel.”
Despite her efforts to rebuild her career, Bleeth’s past drug use and legal problems continued to haunt her. In 2004, she was involved in a car accident that resulted in a hit-and-run charge. She was sentenced to three years probation and 200 hours of community service.
In the years following the accident, Bleeth largely retired from acting and focused on her personal life. She and Cerrito welcomed a son, Tristan, in 2005. In a 2010 interview with Closer Magazine, Bleeth said, “I’m so grateful to have a healthy and happy child. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Today, Bleeth is in her mid-50s and largely out of the spotlight. She has not appeared in a major TV show or movie in over a decade and has largely retreated from the public eye. Despite the challenges she faced, Bleeth is grateful for the opportunities she had and the memories she made during her time in Hollywood. In a 2010 interview with Closer Magazine, she said, “I don’t regret anything. I’m happy with where I am now and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
